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CHILD ADVISORY BOARD

According to UNICEF’s report, Belize has had prolonged insecurity and instability that comes from its exposure to public debt load. Even though the Government of Belize (GOB) are undertaking adjustments and implementing new policies to bring Belize back to a more maintainable yet progressing path, there are threats to certain groups of inhabitants that may possibly be left behind. Studies have shown that the most vulnerable are the children. This is not only in Belize but worldwide, they are the ones that are most affected by changes. Belize has performed adequately with UNICEF’s Millennial Developmental Goals with health risks initiative. Such as to have clean portable drinking water. Such investments have helped the communities at risks greatly. However much more needs to be done to help the vulnerable group.

Background
The Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) did a survey and it shows that about 49% of children in Belize are living below the poverty line, particularly in southern Belize. The country has done advancement in areas such as decreasing the mortality rate of under-5 mortality to 12 per 1,000 live births. Also the birth registration rate in Belize is now at 96%. Although this is a significant increase the study shows that most children that are not registered are of Indigenous decent. Our indigenous people lives in parts of the south of Belize. This also showed that the children nutritional intake was poor. This can lead to many health issues including stunt growth. If left the national stunting rate of 15% will have severe and irreparable penalties to intellectual and physical progress. Approximations are that one in every ten are affected as a result of exposure to HIV/AIDS. So with serious health risk from HIV as well children continue to be defenceless as most times it’s their parents that have contracted the virus and may very well pass on to them whether it is at birth or after by means of breast feeding.

Early Childhood Education
Although corporal punishment is banned at the schools in Belize over 65% of children undergo some type of violent discipline methods in the home or by family members that takes care of them such as grandmothers or other relatives. The Ministry of Education indicates that access to early childhood education and quality early childhood care continue to be challenging. As only one-third of the children attend early childhood education centre’s.It also shows that most of these centers are in the urban area so it is difficult for persons from the rural are to access these education for their children. Cost might be another factor as most are privately owned centers. The Ministry of Education has increased it’s attention to early childhood education to expand learning initiatives to children.

Main points
In May 2014, the Ministry of Local Development and Rural Development along with Mayor across Belize which is about nine municipalities made initial step to change their municipalities to “child friendly municipalities”, by supporting this initiative. The Mayors pledged to allow children to actively join in the decisions of the municipality, this will be done by offering funds to child friendly projects, children will then have access to suitable services while creating an enabling atmosphere.

CAB
On September 2014 the launch of the “Sustainable Child Friendly Municipality” in nine municipalities took place today. This is directly in connection with the Convention on the Rights of the Child led by local government. The purpose is to improve the lives of children now by distinguishing and appreciating their rights by changing  societies for the betterment of the children. So with CAB active sessions the councils meet monthly to formulates strategic action plan that includes the children and their well fare. This is also with the goal of having a community that is connectedrelated in respect to wants and need. The children of CAB have been contributing positively to the development and implementation of the action plans that have been carried out.